Democrats and Republicans used the fifth anniversary of the 2009 stimulus law to renew the bitter debate over whether the measure, at a cost of more than $800 billion, sparked job growth and helped ease the country out of recession, or simply worsened the nation's debt load.

The divide has present-day consequences as President Barack Obama is expected to call for new spending on infrastructure projects such as road and bridge repairs in a budget proposal set to be released in two weeks. Many Republicans have signaled an...